Pre-Game Talk: Montreal @ Pittsburgh

[Tunez33]

Players should be able to permanently earn their place on the top lines.

they should play for another team if they want that, what do we look like the chicago blackhawks or something

 

[billybudd]

ES is not lazy. Not sure why people think this.

Because he coasts around with his stick at his waist not skating in recent years.

 

[66-30-33]

its crazy that malkin n crosby are gonna be most likely under point per game by the end of the season, with all this talent. Everyone on the roster besides fleury is on pace to have their worst season of their career statistically speaking, some by far.

It's the coach. Players don't all of a sudden forget how to do everything all at the same time. I'm prepared to have him for another 3+ years.

 

[neonoto4]

So has Sid... But I guess he's been demoted by getting Duper on his wing again.

Then again, so has everyone. Seriously, if you are going to demote Horny, then demote Sid as well, he's not scoring.
Demote Dupuis too, he's not scoring.
Perron? Demoted.
Malkin? He's not setting the world on fire. Demoted.
Letang? Third line paring.
Cole? Pressbox.
Maata? Sweden.

You can roll the dice all day and come up with all kinds of line combos, but until there is a coaching change/or change the system that they play, This has been an ongoing issue. How can some of the top talent in the NHL play so badly, since about the middle of last season? Coaching. Get rid of the coach, or keep shuffling the deck.

 

[Headshot77]

Then again, so has everyone. Seriously, if you are going to demote Horny, then demote Sid as well, he's not scoring.
Demote Dupuis too, he's not scoring.
Perron? Demoted.
Malkin? He's not setting the world on fire. Demoted.
Letang? Third line paring.
Cole? Pressbox.
Maata? Sweden.

You can roll the dice all day and come up with all kinds of line combos, but until there is a coaching change/or change the system that they play, This has been an ongoing issue. How can some of the top talent in the NHL play so badly, since about the middle of last season? Coaching. Get rid of the coach, or keep shuffling the deck.

Exactly. You can't demote everyone!

 

[SHOOTANDSCORE]

Just give Sid's line 3rd line minutes, Bonino and Bennett's line 2nd line minutes, and Geno's 1st.

 

[SEALBound]

Ya know what...seriously...F it. With Sid playing the way he is...why not:

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Perron-Malkin-Kessel
Bennett-Bonino-Hornqvist
Fehr-Cullen-Sprong/Plotnikov

Send KCD out there...at this point, none of them could go any lower. Then you get 3 other kick buns lines.

 

[SEALBound]

Always good to look for the positive, right? Hate to be the pointy elbow kid, but ...

If Maatta is scratched with Scuderi still in the lineup...I may have to re-evaluate my entire reality.

 

[vodeni]

Ya know what...seriously...F it. With Sid playing the way he is...why not:

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Perron-Malkin-Kessel
Bennett-Bonino-Hornqvist
Fehr-Cullen-Sprong/Plotnikov

Send KCD out there...at this point, none of them could go any lower. Then you get 3 other kick buns lines.

i'd say why not? I've been hating on Kunitz and Duper way before it became fashionable, but since they just desperatly want to keep them around, let them reunite and sink to whatever low they hit, maybe that will reignite Sid, I know it does not make sense, but what the heck...

 

[SirBrad]

Pens Inside Scoop ‏@PensInsideScoop 2m2 minutes ago View translation
#Pens lines at practice:
Dupuis-Crosby-Bennett
Perron-Malkin-Kessel
Kunitz-Bonino-Hornqvist
Fehr-Cullen-Sprong/Plotnikov

This Dupuis on the first line really has me counting down the days until the season is over.

How can you even root for this kind of ineptitude?

 

[Saints11]

Kunitz gots to go to the pressbox. Mind numbing how Sprong is being used. Send him back to Charlottetown if he's the current extra forward. Good ol' Rutherford! [/COLOR]

And, what is with organization attempting to convert players into something they're not?

Megna: "Start throwing your body around."

Tangradi: "You got size; get a little nasty."

Bennett: "You better start playing as a power-forward as well as being more defensively responsible."

Sprong: "Go work on your defensive game while we put you in a limited role."

How about getting players that actually familiar with that role instead of trying to force younger players into it?[/QUOTE

The misuse of Sprong falls on our junior coach. Beginning to think that JR's hands are tied by the owners who may not want to burden a new owner with paying Junior Joe for doing nothing. Hell, we are already paying him for doing nothing!

 

[robopigeon]

I'm no great hockey mind but...

Hustle - Crosby - Playmaking

Finishing - Malkin - Finishing


Seems like an idiotic way to put together the top lines. But again, I'm no great hockey mind.

Also, can't believe we're this far into the season and we haven't seen Perron - Crosby - Horny tried yet.

Blah.

 

[Kristopher Letang]

I'm no great hockey mind but...

Hustle - Crosby - Playmaking

Finishing - Malkin - Finishing


Seems like an idiotic way to put together the top lines. But again, I'm no great hockey mind.

Also, can't believe we're this far into the season and we haven't seen Perron - Crosby - Horny tried yet.

Blah.

Perron is a finisher? Ok.

 

[Malkin112*]

Pens Inside Scoop ‏@PensInsideScoop 2m2 minutes ago View translation
#Pens lines at practice:
Dupuis-Crosby-Bennett
Perron-Malkin-Kessel
Kunitz-Bonino-Hornqvist
Fehr-Cullen-Sprong/Plotnikov

It's safe to say that Neal trade was catastrophe

 

[ColePens]

Drop that gimmick, please. Geno is playing some of his best hockey in my opinions. Two way Geno is playoff Geno. He's domianting and looks great.

The gimmick that the world is falling is so old.

 

[ColePens]

Perron is a finisher? Ok.

Re read his comment. I didnt interpret that the same as you did.

 

[Malkin112*]

Drop that gimmick, please. Geno is playing some of his best hockey in my opinions. Two way Geno is playoff Geno. He's domianting and looks great.

The gimmick that the world is falling is so old.

I will drop it... for now. I'm still mad though

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Well, Bennett on Sid's RW is progress. Wonder how many shifts that will last.

Why can't we even get the lines right? Why does this organization insist on starting two steps back every game they go into?

Perron - Crosby - Hornqvist
Bennett - Malkin - Kessel
Fehr/Sprong - Bonino - Fehr/Sprong
Plotnikov - Cullen - Dupuis

Is it really that hard?

 

[plaidchuck]

PCH would be a.flaming ball of.crap the way those players have played this year.

 

[HandshakeLine]

I will drop it... for now. I'm still mad though

A Finn mad about a Russian? That's never happened before.

 

[WheresRamziAbid]

It's safe to say that Neal trade was catastrophe

Nah, generally Horny has done what he's been brought in to do. He's off to a slow start this year but he will be fine and he is still the exact type of guy you want in the playoffs.

Not to mention Neal was demoted to the third line for a bit this year, it didn't mean we automatically won the trade.

 

[Penguinzilla*]

Because he coasts around with his stick at his waist not skating in recent years.

Watch him play tonight and let me know if he does that

 

[Headshot77]

Ya know what...seriously...F it. With Sid playing the way he is...why not:

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Perron-Malkin-Kessel
Bennett-Bonino-Hornqvist
Fehr-Cullen-Sprong/Plotnikov

Send KCD out there...at this point, none of them could go any lower. Then you get 3 other kick buns lines.

That bottom 9 looks amazing

 

[SEALBound]

That bottom 9 looks amazing

Yeah then watch KCD go out and dominate like it's 2011. Kunitz becomes a 35 goal scorer, Duper notches 25 himself, and Sid goes on to win the Art Ross...

...only to be rendered completely irrelevant in the playoffs.

 

[Penguinsyay]

Ya know what...seriously...F it. With Sid playing the way he is...why not:

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Perron-Malkin-Kessel
Bennett-Bonino-Hornqvist
Fehr-Cullen-Sprong/Plotnikov

Send KCD out there...at this point, none of them could go any lower. Then you get 3 other kick buns lines.

I actually wouldn't mind this, assuming that the other lines are given more ice time. Crosby is happy because he gets to play with his buddies, maybe it'll even reignite some old spark in his play. All of the other lines become stronger without Kunitz/Dupuis on them.

Edit: At the very least it'd be good for a chuckle or two. Increase ticket sales due to nostalgia factor.